Hiatus

Ever heard of a hiatus?  I wasn't sure I was using the word correctly, so I googled it...    
 Hiatus: a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process.

Turns out I was using it right.  Good thing too, cause I'm here to announce a hiatus.  Funny thing about life, we can't quite predict it.  One moment you're trucking along ordering business cards, and the next you realize you have no extra capacity for a shower, much less a new business.       My heart is breaking cause this is something I am passionate about, I feel gifted in, and I want to pursue.  But I'm pursuing the greater right now, so the good is going to have to wait.       All that to say I want to help you with your style consulting needs, but I'm going to have to wait to do that, for an indetermined...not actually a word, undetermined, amount of time.  When God calls me back to this, I'll be full steam ahead in your closet and at the thrift stores, but for now...I'll be loving my family well...which is a very good plan.       To quote the ever-wise and well-versed Tigger, "TTFN, ta ta for now."

Mini Me.

Ellie would like to share with you her version of how to tie a scarf...err...scarves.  If you missed my version (which involves fewer scarves--but less "cuteness in pajamas") click here...

Happy Saturday!  Leave us a comment and I'll have Ellie respond in her very own words!

pretty night out

pretty night out by jennschmidt88 featuring nina ricci dresses

Nina ricci dress
$2,460 - harveynichols.com

Miu Miu t strap pumps
nordstrom.com

Yellow gold jewelry
windsorstore.com

Re-found...

As promised, here are yesterday's err...last week's finds (don't forget...I'm a mommy first)...all polished up.

Way one: Biz Cas (business casual guys, come on).  the belt over this is so smart, and the red skirt still looks conservative and polished.  You could easily do a button-up all tucked in with this too...or...

...pair it with boots, and a t-shirt and you've got a way to wear it dressed down as well.  I'm currently in love with red and purple together too, so this cardi works spot on!  I know a red pencil skirt might seem like a ridiculous staple, but it's crazy versatile.  I've already thought of 3 other ways I'd want to put this together, a jean jacket, a black tank and grey scarf...somebody stop me!

Ok.  Here you have it.  The Claire Huxtable closet find.  I took the shoulder pads out and threw it on with a pair of black jeans (that were tighter than I remembered--even after my "tight jean lunges and yoga poses") cuffed to be more of a cigarette pant and I'm kinda loving it.  Not gonna lie though...gold jackets are not for the faint of heart.  You'd have to have the right place to wear it...like Vegas?

The "nun shirt" is too sweet.  I threw on a long pearl necklace that I wrapped around as a bracelet and it gives it just right.  But pairing something as classic and "dress-up-doll" as a lace collar and pearls, with something as modern as a dark wash skinny jean makes it wearable.  I tried it tucked in, but should only brave something like that before eating pasta...not after.  Alas, untucked it is for now!

Which one is your favorite?  Which would you wear?

Thrifty Thursday

WARNING: What you are about to see may scare you.  

Some of the clothes are things you would normally walk right by...maybe even make fun of.  But part of what I'm encouraging you to do here is think outside the box.  So today I'm posting the finds we snagged at the thrift store, and tomorrow I'll show you how to put them together.  You just have to come back (and you're going to have to trust me...especially when you see gold fabric).

I can't really take credit for this guy.  Andrea had already found the red pencil skirt. I went and found the black belt on the shelf and she could have applied for a job right then.  Tomorrow we'll show you two ways to wear it.  Casual and interview-appropriate.  (Is she adorable or WHAT?!)

I call this the nun shirt.  It's super-weird.  But I'm in love.  A little lace collar and the back has a tie...which is totally random.  Here's the thing, if you love it-you'll love wearing it. 

Don't be scared.  You've gotta trust me here.  And while I know most of you will never leave the house in a gold shirt that looks like you borrowed it from Claire Huxtable, you might be surprised at what you can pull off.  And...I...love...it.

I know you...and I know you'd walk right by these because you already wore them to your junior prom.  But pair them with skinny jeans and you'd be surprised at how much you could change your look with something like this.  They weren't my size...or else I would own them right now.  Tip: Never leave the thrift store without looking for shoes...ever.

And while thrifting is good for many things, and I can't even blog about all the things we found because there isn't room for all the pictures there are some things that should always be left at the thrift store, here are two...

It's called a "dickie", and (contrary to what Andrea thought) you are supposed to wear it under a shirt.  But don't buy them...cause they're weird.  Leave them there.

I know you're shocked and amazed at my hotness even in the granny casual shirt (aka: gran-cas), but it's too risky.  Just don't do it.  Unless you've given up on life...then by all means...go for it.

Hey! Don't leave yet, post a comment about your doubts in my thrift skills, your favorite thrift store find, your fear of gold fabric.  Come on...show the love.

It's called Wed-nes-day

Hey guys!  Guest blogging over at Lyndseylew today.  Check it out!

High fashion is for suckers!

     One of the things I love to do for people is make good style practical and relevant for any budget.  If that means taking you shopping at Goodwill (it's a good thing I'm lucky at thrift stores) then that's what we do.  Cause I live on a budget, and I hope you do too.    

     I could care less about "high fashion"....and honestly it's kind of ridiculous looking right?  Since none of us are going to be walking down a runway any time soon, and most of us shop at places like Target and Old Navy (which is totally glorious in my book), I wanted to post a few options this morning that I think are gorgeous, and are all under $40.  Okay, let's get to it. 

I think this dress is the bees knees.  It would look great on those of you with skinny hips (people like that exist right?) or a straight figure, because the ruffle and structure at the shoulder will create an hourglass shape on anyone.  But I'd wear it with my hips too...cause it makes me smile.   Wear it to a summer wedding, or just wear it to the grocery and let people think you have a super professional life.  

T.A.R.G.E.T.  We love you!  Remember the awesome scarf we found there already?  Target is fabulous.  Don't be scared because it's yellow. You could easily carry something this fun and bright whenever you'd carry a black or brown bag.  Since color (especially yellow) makes people happy think of it as a service to depressed people everywhere.  Really, you'd be denying the world some happiness by not buying this bag.  

Oh man.  I almost didn't want to post this cause I love it so much and wanted to keep it a secret from everyone....but I really like you, and want you to look great--so here you go.  Wear it with leggings and boots, wear it with a blazer and heels, wear it with a jean jacket and cowboy boots, wear it in your sleep--it's that cute!  There is also a brown and black option, for those of you who play it safe, which you could pair with a crazy bright belt.  But honestly, when there's a red option...you should always choose that.  

There you have it!  Easy to wear, easier to buy.  Aren't you glad you stopped by?